“Who what?”
She shakes her head. “Nothing. But I don’t want to ruin this. I like you, so I’m going to do the right thing and not sleep with you. I don’t want to give you what you want and then have you run away like most men do.”
I’m pissed as hell at the thought of someone treating her the way I think she just told me she’s been treated “Reece, did you hear yourself play and sing? Musicians need to surround themselves with greatness. You’re about as great a musician as I’ve ever heard. You’re going places someday, and so am I. This isn’t about a quick lay. Your song spoke to me. If you don’t want to sleep with me, fine. I’ll wait, because I’m not going anywhere.”
I lean in and kiss her, hoping she knows I’m not like the others.
We sit on the couch for hours, getting to know each other, Reggie sleeping happily at our feet. We order pizza for dinner and eat it with a pitcher of lemonade.
We talk about everything and anything. She tells me about the three dudes that hit her and one who stole her TV. About the six foster homes she bounced between. About the dream she had of being adopted that never came true. She says she doesn’t want kids after growing up the way she did. I tell her we have that in common. There’s no room for kids in my life with the way I plan to live it.
The more we talk, the more I realize she’s perfect for me.
When it starts getting dark, I tell her I should probably go.
“Or you could stay here,” she says. “It’s a big house. I’m not all that wild about sleeping here alone.”
“You want me to stay here and not sleep with you?”
“Yes. Maybe just next to me.”
“For the entire week?”
She shrugs. “It’s not like you’re going off to college or anything. And there’s an added bonus. I’m sure being with someone like me would really piss off your father.”
I laugh. “You’re not wrong about that, but I’d have to run home and get clothes.”
“You and Sheila’s husband are about the same size. We’ll find you something of his. You can go home tomorrow and get your own stuff.”
“This is kind of crazy, Reece.”
“I know.”
“But I really want to say yes.”
“Then do.”
I smile. “Under one condition. You sing me another song.”
Before I have to ask twice, she’s racing for the guitar. Then I sit in awe, watching her play, thinking of how this morning I woke up next to a stranger, and twelve hours later, I think I might be in love.
Chapter Eight
Reece
Maddox puts his arm around my shoulder as we stand outside IRL. “Take a deep breath, Reece. Everything is going to be okay.”
Someone runs past us, bumping into me as he opens the front door. “Sorry,” he says. “You coming in?”
“Not yet.”
I don’t miss the way he appraises me. His eyes travel the entire length of my body, stopping when he gets to my boobs. He has tattoos, plugs in his ears, and a pierced brow. A rocker for sure, but not with Reckless Alibi. He wasn’t at the meeting yesterday. He’s attractive, in a love-’em-and-leave-’em kind of way.
“Suit yourself,” he says, “but it’s damn cold out here.” He goes inside.
I take a few steps back, feeling fear and a little nausea.
Maddox frowns. “Where’s the confident woman I’ve come to know and love?”
“Probably hiding under the covers back at our place.”
“You can do this.”
I nod, and Maddox opens the door for me. I look around. “I’m not even sure where to go.”
Someone comes out of an office. She, too, looks me over but not in a provocative way. More like the way a predator might assess her prey. “I assume you’re the one-hit wonder?”
“Excuse me?”
“You’re Reece, right?”
I extend my hand. “Yes, and you are?”
“Follow me,” she says, ignoring my gesture.
I swallow hard, glance at Maddox, and then follow her down a hallway. She opens a door to a large music studio. I’m instantly taken back six years when I hear a drum solo I’m sure is one of Garrett’s. As soon as he sees me, he stops and sits stoically on his stool. Everyone turns and stares.
“Reece is here,” the woman says. “And she’s brought her boyfriend.”
“He’s not my boyfriend.”
“Good,” she says. “There’s no room for anyone else on the tour bus.”
“I wasn’t, uh, he’s not. No, it’ll just be me.”
A man I recognize from the meeting yesterday appears in the door. “Ah, Ms. Mancini. Right on time.” He glances around the room, surely feeling the tension. “As we’ll all be working together for many months, why don’t we get acquainted.”
“Didn’t you do that yesterday?” the bitchy woman asks.
“It was a legal proceeding, Ronni. Hardly the time for a meet-and-greet.” He steps forward. “I’m Jeremy Halstead, Reckless Alibi’s manager, and this is Ronni Collins, their rep at IRL.”
“Nice to meet you.” I motion. “This is my roommate, Maddox McBride.”
Jeremy nods at him, then turns to the band, none of whom seem eager to meet me, except maybe the guy in the corner, the one we ran into outside. He strides over and holds out his hand. “Iggy Smart, bassist.”
I shake his hand. He holds on a bit too long.
“Iggy is our newest member,” Jeremy says. “This is his first week. He replaced Brad Templeton.”
“Guess that makes us the odd men out,” Iggy says. “It’s cool, though. You can hang with me. The rest of the band seems a bit uptight, but I get the feeling once we impress them, they’ll come around.”
“We’re not uptight,” someone says. “Just cautious.” He walks over. “Liam Campbell, lead guitar. These two are Chris Rewey and Brianna Cash, and we call them Crew and Bria. And of course you know Garrett.”
I dare to look at him. He doesn’t bother moving off his stool, and I don’t miss the obvious fact that he’s staring at Maddox.
Jeremy heads for the door. “I guess we’ll leave you to it then. Ronni?”
Ronni’s glaring at me. On her way out, she says, “I’ll be watching you.”
Garrett finally speaks, still peering at Maddox. “Still feels crowded in here.”
Maddox grabs a nearby stool, takes it to a corner, and perches on it. “If you think I’m leaving after that icy reception, think again. I’m not about to let you gang up on her.”
“Stop, Maddox. I can speak for myself.”
“That would be something new,” Garrett says, heavy on the sarcasm.
“Listen, I know you guys don’t like me, but none of this is my fault. You used my lyrics. You took something from me without my permission. Do you have any idea what that feels like? When I heard the song on the radio, I felt … violated. I have a right to everything we agreed on yesterday, and I’m not going to let you make me feel bad about being here.”